Prophylactic removal of impacted third molars: is it justified?
NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination
Record ID 31999008346
English
Authors' objectives:
To summarise the research evidence relating to the prophylactic removal of impacted third molars (wisdom teeth).
Authors' recommendations:
Third molar surgery rates vary widely across the UK.
Around 35% of third molars removed for prophylactic purposes in the UK are disease free.
Surgical removal of third molars can only be justified when clear long term benefit to the patient is expected.
It is not possible to predict reliably whether impacted third molars will develop pathological changes if they are not removed.
There are no randomised controlled studies to compare the long term outcome of early removal with retention of pathology free third molars.
In the absence of good evidence to support prophylactic removal, there appears to be little justification for the routine removal of pathology free impacted third molars.
To ensure appropriate treatment, referrals and waiting lists for the surgical removal of third molars should be monitored through a process of audit.
Authors' methods:
Systematic review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1998
URL for published report:
http://www.york.ac.uk/crd/publications/archive/
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England
MeSH Terms
- Oral Health
- Tooth Extraction
- Molar, Third
- Tooth, Impacted
Contact
Organisation Name:
University of York
Contact Address:
University of York, York, Y01 5DD, United Kingdom. Tel: +44 1904 321040, Fax: +44 1904 321041,
Contact Name:
crd@york.ac.uk
Contact Email:
crd@york.ac.uk
Copyright:
<p>Centre for Reviews and Dissemination</p>
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